3. Clear Your Schedule

You have a plan in place, now find the time to execute it. Clear your schedule…completely.

I know…it’s hard. For the average person, clearing your schedule for few days or weeks can seem next to impossible. But it’s necessary if you want your alcohol detox to be successful.

Put aside your job and family responsibilities temporarily, and know that you will be better equipped to handle them once you are sober again.

Be honest with the people in your life. It’s extremely likely that they will understand, and they will support you in your efforts to improve yourself.

4. Get Support from the People in your Life

This step is important. Go out and find an accountability partner. Stop trying to be proud. Stop trying to be tough. And get over yourself already.

Maybe you could do it alone…but if there are people in your life who care about you and want to help you, why on earth would you want to do it alone?

Find a friend. Find a family member. Just find someone.

Ideally it should be someone who you are close to. It’s even better if they’ve gone through something similar to what you’re going through. Former alcoholics are drug addicts can often make excellent accountability partners.

Your partner should be there to encourage you and keep you safe in the case your withdrawal symptoms become too severe.

If you can, get yourself some visitors. Sometimes just seeing your loved ones can serve as a reminder for why you are trying to get sober, and help keep your motivations high.

5. Take Vitamin Supplements

In a clinic, they will usually prescribe you drugs to help with the withdrawal. At home, you won’t have that luxury. Whatever you do, DO NOT self-prescribe. Don’t trade one addiction for another.

Instead, here’s a better alternative: Take vitamins.

The most important supplement to take is a B-complex vitamin. Virtually all sources on the subject will tell you that B Complex vitamins have been shown to be consistently effective at relieving the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Niacin (vitamin B3) can be especially effective in larger doses.

Other supplements including vitamin C, selenium, magnesium and zinc have also been known to be effective in larger doses. Have them all available if you can, and experiment to see which ones work best for you.

6. Stay Comfortable

Be patient. Detoxing takes time. Depending on the severity of your addiction, it could take a few days, or it could take longer…several weeks possibly. So you might as well make yourself comfortable in the mean time.

Here are some tips to help you pass the time:

WATCH FUNNY MOVIES!!! – This is probably the best thing you can possibly do to pass the time while you detox. As they say, laughter is the best medicine. Simply by laughing, your body releases chemicals in your brain that work as natural pain-relievers.

Stay hydrated – Drink lots of water. Coconut water is even better.

Take frequent hot showers – The hot water on your back works as a temporary distraction from the pain. Try it. It’s surprisingly effective.

Listen to your hunger – Your body is smart. Listen to it. Eat when you are hungry, but don’t force it if you aren’t.

That’s pretty much it. Just follow the steps listed above and you will do well. Good luck and congratulations on improving your life.